I spent most of the day today at the Museum of Modern Art, MOMA, as it is called, which is what I explained to my son Zac on our way there. I also told him about the long history our family has had with MOMA, beginning in the late 40's with Edward Steichen and the photography department, and later with curator, Anne Morra and the great film department who have helped restore three of my parent's films. In any event, Zac was off from school for Spring break, and we were going there to meet a friend and her teenage daughter. The draw was the Tim Burton show, however, as I was forewarned, it was mobbed, and really so much so that it was uncomfortable trying to even take a look at it. Luckily we started on the lower level by the theaters, which was not crowded at all. I think a lot of people missed out on this part entirely. There were posters of every film he has done, and some large Polaroids which were colorful, and the kids enjoyed trying to figure out what they were looking at in some of them, and how they were done. Afterwards, we went upstairs, which was a bust, except for the video shorts that lead to the exhibit, and the carousel sculpture in the black lit entrance, my son had had it. I led him to the Edward Scissorhands model, and we took a quick glance at the Batman masks and Planet of the Apes helmets, but quickly left to reunite with our friends. I was pleasantly surprised to end up in the photography galleries and saw at least four archives from APAG represented which included: Marion Post Wolcott, Philippe Halsman, Arthur Rothstein and John Vachon. The Avedon show was also impressive, and I'm looking forward to the women's photography exhibit that opens in May. However, what was wondeful was discovering all the other exhibits, most of them interactive including the Ernesto Neto, where Zac and his friend Zoe went into a sculptural environment made out of stretched fabric, or the bisected minivan by Yin Xiuzhen. We also had a chance to look at the Pop Art and Design galleries, and the interesting William Kentridge show full of drawings, and many video installations. We of course didn't miss the Marina Abramovic event on the 2nd floor with all eyes on her. It was such a pleasant day despite the crowds, which included a leisurely lunch in the 2nd floor cafe, and another rest in the sculpture garden, we left thoroughly satisfied, and thrilled to have been part of MOMA today!

I was just thinking about how busy I was last weekend walking up and down the aisles of the annual photography show, AIPAD which was held at the Park Avenue Armory. It is a wonderful opportunity to see a lot of work in one place, and of course run into a lot of people I work with throughout the year who are in the industry. It is always good to see dealers from out of state such as Catherine Courtier from the John Cleary Gallery in Houston, or Burt and Missy Finger from Photographs Do Not Bend in Dallas, or Wendy Halsted from the Halsted Gallery in Franklin, MI. It was also great to run into photographers such as Lindsay McCrum, Jill Freedman and George Tice.

A highlight of the show for me was The Photo League panel that was held on Sunday, with many Photo League members participating including; Ida Wyman, Vivian Cherry, Rebecca Lepkopf, Erika Stone, Sonia Handelman Meyer, Marvin Newman, George Zimbel and Artie Leipzig. It is very exciting that there will finally be a major exhibit of The Photo League that will open at The Jewish Museum in NYC, in November 2011 and then will travel to the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio and hopefully, other locations.
Regards,
Mary Engel